Female prostitutes and exclusion from society : prostitutes during the classical period in Athens and the late republic/early empire in Pompeii, 2014

Item — Call Number: MU Thesis Tur

Identifier: b7636387

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The collection consists of theses written by students enrolled in the Monmouth University graduate History program. The holdings are bound print documents that were submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for the Master of Arts degree.

From the Collection:

During the fall 2022 semester (in instances where the requisite waivers were received from consenting student authors), the Monmouth University Library, together with the University's Graduate School and Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences, began providing open access to select full-text digital versions of current theses and dissertations through links to the ProQuest Dissertations Publishing website in the Library's Online Public Access Catalog. Links to these open access digital publications can also be found in the "External Documents" section under any conforming titles that are listed among the holdings itemized in the collection inventory for this finding aid.

Dates

Creation: 2014

Creator

Turnbach, Michelle M. (Michelle Maria) (1983- ) (Author, Person)
Parkin, Katherine J. (Thesis advisor, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use. Access is by appointment only.

Access to the collection is confined to the Monmouth University Library and is subject to patron policies approved by the Monmouth University Library.

Collection holdings may not be borrowed through interlibrary loan.

Research appointments are scheduled by the Monmouth University Library Archives Collections Manager (723-923-4526). A minimum of three days advance notice is required to arrange a research appointment for access to the collection.

Patrons must complete a Researcher Registration Form and provide appropriate identification to gain access to the collection holdings. Copies of these documents will be kept on file at the Monmouth University Library.

Extent

1 Items (print book) : 100 pages ; 8.5 x 11.0 inches (28 cm).

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This paper will examine the role of non-slave female prostitutes within both societies in ancient Classical Athens from 500 BC to 400 BC and the Late Republic/Roman Empire in Pompeii from 100 BC to 100 AD. To determine how much prostitutes were included or excluded from society, these areas were analyzed: religion, politics, and economics. To the extent that prostitutes are included/excluded is determined by their ability to not get pregnant - and here I determine that relatively effective birth control in Antiquity made it possible for prostitutes to potentially acheive economic agency in their lives. Non-slave prostitution in Athens and Pompeii was a means by which non-slave female prostitutes were moderately included in the fabric of both civilizations. Still, even with accesss to limited religious freedom, severely limited political power, full economic agency, and full reproductive agency for prostitutes, ancient Greek and Roman societies looked down upon women for simply being women. Within this paper, female prostitutes will be further classified as hetairai (high-class prostitutes), concubines, and average prostitutes (eg independent and brothel). A prostitute's categorization and earnings potential frequently influenced her inclusion or exclusion in society.

List of Keywords